The Seikukan Daigaku originated in 1972. It was opened in March of that year courtesy of the School District 34 (Abbotsford, B.C. Canada) and various dignitaries inclusive of ‘Spud’ Murphy.
The original Abbotsford dojo、 before the name Seikukan, ran under the auspices of Shihan Hidetada Narumi’s Shisei-Kai (also known as BC Karate Institute) as a satellite dojo of the Vancouver Hombu dojo. Robert was one of the the two students who trained in the Vancouver Dojo , then acting as an apprentice, guided by Narumi Shihan and the seniors (Greg Englehart, Howard Hewitt, Mitchall Chang, Isamu Izumi and Bino Felix) from Vancouver. Robert was still a brown belt and young therefore it was a task that was at times difficult to fulfil as many students were older but it was a task that was taken with relish. He only taught once weekly, and that was when when of the seniors was unable to attend. The Vancouver dojo was 56 miles away, but regular weekly, or bi-weekly trips were made by Robert along with his friend Tim Short as the training was invaluable. James Johnson and Ray Wong were in the same class as them, so there was a second or third wave of Narumi apprentices starting.
Shisei-Kai was founded by Saiko Shihan Makoto Gima and Shihan Ikuo Higuchi. Shihan Narumi was a senior member of that organisation and brought the art of Gima’s Karate to Canada.
The teaching experience whetted Robert’s appetite for helping others, and Abbotsford grew at one point to 60 members.
In 1980 Shihan Toru Yamaguchi (Iwaizumi) visited the Abbotsford Dojo, at that time run under the auspices of Shihan Hidetaka Nishiyama’s JKA USA/Canada. He was so impressed with the dojo that he allowed his personal Dojo name to be used. Seikukan (誠空館）- the difference being in the Kanji with ‘Sei’ (誠 – Makoto) exchanged as a reminder and respect of the Shisei-kai root.
Makoto in this sense means truth or faithfulness. Seikukan can be taken to mean ‘the school of the true heart’.
Robert has been mentored (in JKA seniority) by Hidetaka Nishiyama, Toru Yamaguchi, Keigo Abe, and Mikio Yahara. This became the fusion of the Karate taught by Hidetada Narumi; and more recently the Gima-Ha Kaicho Mitsunori Kobayashi. For a short time Robert and Tim were also taken the wing of Hanshi Richard Kim, himself a one time student of Yabu Kentsu ( teacher of Makoto Gima).
Seikukan in Canada progated many champions, and Karateka who remain active today. The name ‘Seikukan’ has a huge pedigree to offer.
As Robert is now largely retired due to health issues, extra curricular training occurs to prepare persons for their examinations (particularly at Sandan -3rd degree black belt level – and above). The sessions are conducted via Zoom, and conducted on a virtual 1-2-1 basis, centred around the needs of the student at the time.
Robert believes in the Karate as taught to him, particularly the internal workings and dynamics of the body when delivering techniques, i.e. bio-mechanics – Scientific Karate. The scientific aspect of Karate is a major and important study; if we follow the concepts of Hittou Ichigeki.Ikken Hissatsu etc. The Karate must work, and a weaker person engaging in a long fight may not come out the victor.
The scientific aspects from Nishiyama/Yahara/Abe Shihans are blended with the Ne-Waza/Nage-Waza of Gima-Ha.
This dojo is not run commercially but is reserved for private members by invitation on acceptance upon request of Yudansha (Black Belt members).
As stated classes are generally held in the form of ZOOM Webinars, however courses are held in South Wales at least once annually, and visits to other Dojos within the organisation are undertaken at least once annually.
Taking the genealogy of the dojo it is clear that the influences of Funakoshi Gichin Shihan and Gima Makoto Shihan have been embraced.
From Itosu to Narumi Shihan via Gima makes the dojo a 3rd generation. From Itosu/Azato to Nishiyama Shihan also makes the dojo a 3rd Generation. If we look at Yahara Shihan and Abe Shihan then the dojo is a 4th generation successor.
It must be obvious to seasoned karateka that the Seikukan looks beyond commercialism and has the interests of the student at heart; not just within Karatedo but life itself. Here we start to see the admonition Ko Ken Chi Ai 交拳知愛 manifested – maintaining love (humanity) through crossing the fists in training.
For information, please contact rsidoli@sky.com